Much is being said about heroes. What makes heroes? My answer is: A righteous cause and a dedication to make good happen.
Heroes do not have to wear capes, spandex pants and masks to stand out. Their actions speak louder than words.
These virus infested times can bring out the best in people, as well as perhaps the worst. Do people rise above themselves and the challenges to make a difference? I think some do and we are grateful for all heroes that act boldly and courageously.
I believe every believer is a hero. They chose a righteous cause and are dedicated to make not just good but “godly” things happen. They act on their sonship rights and live the love of God, doing acts to bless others.
This is the time for us as God’s ambassadors (II Corinthians 5:20) to step forward and demonstrate the love of God with the power of God. Our action of righteous prayers, encouraging the saints and ministering to others, goes a long way in being effective heroes.
There are many wonderful people in our challenging world that are recognized as heroes, such as, medical staff, first responders, military people, teachers, and safety officers, but do not count yourself out. A born again believer walking in love and in the power of God truly makes “godly” things happen.
You are a hero
Yes, you are someone very special
You were so significant, God called you even before the foundation of the world
You must be important
You cause huge celebrations in Heaven when you win someone to the Lord
Looking into a mirror, there you are, the glory of the Lord
You are so favored
You have a seat in the Heavenlies because you are so unique
You are so awesome that soon the Lord Jesus Christ will return for you forever
Agape,
Bob
On my birthday I was gifted with a wonderful small book by E Stanley Jones, who was a mighty man of the Scriptures in the previous century. People say that many times powerful things come in small packages. This certainly is the case with this little book titled Growing Spiritually.
He gives purpose to the reason why he is writing this particular book in the introduction. His declaration not only speaks to his times, but really more so to our times (in my humble opinion). The following is the reason for publishing this masterpiece:
“The necessity for spiritual growth is not merely our personal problem – it is that, but it is more: it is our world problem. At the center of almost every acute problem – personal, social, economic, political and international – is a moral and spiritual immaturity … we are immature persons dealing with mature problems. Dr. Rebecca Beard says, “The consuming illness of our times is our immaturity – our refusal to grow up.” (The underline is my addition).
E Stanley Jones goes on to say, “Spiritual maturity is no longer a luxury for a few, it is a necessity for us all.” The author continues saying, “Today we see all life around us being tangled and snarled because of a lack of an intangible something, and that something is Christian maturity.”
“Christian maturity must be the major business and endeavor of our race,” E Stanley Jones declares.
Where do we begin? We begin with ourselves becoming spiritually minded.
We are made perfect in Christ so that we can then manifest Christ to the world. Our witness will be the perfection of Christ within. Yes, I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect in myself, but what I can do and should do is commit myself to grow to be a mature Christian that walks and talks with God believing who I am in Christ.
This is our opportunity to not get all ensnarled into the worldly junk but focus on who we are in Christ and stand together in unity of the one body working together.
Ephesians 2:10 (ISV) For we are God’s masterpiece, created in the Messiah Jesus to perform good actions that God prepared long ago to be our way of life.
1Cor. 6:20 (KJV) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Agape,
Bob
Starting this Sunday, April 19, 2020
New Dial in number: 1-515-604-9708
New Access code: 344880#
Real Source of Joy
One of the precious privileges we have as born again ones filled with the power of the holy spirit is utilizing His gift fully. That means walking by the spirit incorporating all nine manifestations.
There are few things that are more exciting than to see people healed and delivered. Jesus’ disciples experienced the power of the holy spirit that was upon them. Jesus sent out the seventy to heal the sick and bring forth news of the kingdom of God.
They returned extremely excited to the extent that they said, “…even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name” (Luke 10:17). Jesus response was very insightful:
Luke 10:19 & 20:
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Even though they experienced first-hand the power of God, what really causes a real source of joy is that they have their names written in heaven. We too have our name in the book of life, if we are born again of God’s spirit. Philippians 4:3 says “…whose names are in the book of life”. Now that is a joyous reality! May we do the work of the Lord by walking in the spirit and remember with a joyous heart that we belong forever to our Heavenly Father.
NEW DIAL IN NUMBER AND ACCESS CODE STARTING SUNDAY, APRIL 19TH
We have upgraded our Conference Call Fellowship system that required us to have new numbers. Please get rid of the old numbers and utilize these new numbers starting Sunday, April 19th. Schedule: Mon – Sat at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 10:30AM.
Dial in number is: 1-515-604-9708
Access number is: 344880#
Everything else remains the same. If you are called on to manifest or pray, use * 6 to come off mute and say, “hello” to make sure you are off mute and when you are finished, you can do * 6 to get back on mute. If you are having problems using your phone and would like to access the fellowship via computer devices contact Barney at
More Conference Call
Fellowships
Since March 21st , Jeanie and I have been hosting Conference Call Fellowships twice a day, every day of the week, except on Sunday, when we do a 10:30 AM Conference Call Fellowship. We made a commitment to do this to the end of March.
The purpose of these fellowships was to meet the needs of the believers for fellowship due to the mandatory rules of the government telling people they cannot meet together in groups. The above schedule was an aggressive format, but due to many people being home from work and school it turned out to be a wonderful blessing.
As a result of technology, people could call in on a common phone number and listen and be a part of the fellowship that lasted about 30 minutes. We averaged from over 25 to nearly 50 call-ins each time. Believers called in from Hawaii to Boston and from Idaho to Texas and from many states in between. Of course many of the local saints participated by calling in. The teachings were dynamic and specific lasting only 15 minutes. Besides myself and Jeanie, we had Barney and Vikki Barnhart, Jan Magiera, Al Segovia and Jan Booze teach. Many of the teachings are on Facebook and our Website under the Sunday Teachings (Facebook: “Acts Now Fellowship” and Website: www.actsnowfellowship.net).
FUTURE CONFERENCE CALL FELLOWSHIPS
It is on our heart to continue doing these fellowships until Easter where we will evaluate the need to proceed further.
Major Change to Schedule starting April 1st, Wednesday to April 12th, Easter Sunday: There will be only ONE fellowship per day at 7:30 PM, Monday – Saturday. On Sunday there will be a 10:30 AM fellowship. Typically they last for 30 minutes, except for Sunday which will be a little longer. Barney and Vikki Barnhart will host half of the fellowship days and Jeanie and myself the other days. We will host Sunday’s fellowship together.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS TO PARTICIPATE:
Conference Call Fellowship: Call 1-605-313-4802
At the prompt for the access code, key in: 401603# The coordinator will mute everyone from his location.
There will be prayer, manifestations, maybe some music, and a short teaching.
Thank you for everyone that has participated already. Jeanie and I are overwhelmed by the positive responses of everyone. We are moving ahead as a body of Christ praying for a quick resolution to Covid19. As we deal with this historic event, we take the opportunity to bless the saints and reach out to others. This way we will stay built up and continue to hold forth the Words of Life.
1Cor. 15:57: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Agape,
Bob
Our Heavenly Father, believe it or not, really thinks very highly of us. Yes, He even brags about how wonderful we are.
Ephesians 1:6: To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
We are to the praise of His glory. We are acceptable to Him and He wants everyone to know it. We are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)! That is quite a reputation to have. God counts us worthy of His praise. There are more bragging records about us.
Ephesians 1:12: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
God thinks so highly of us. We should be busting off our buttons with pride! Even our future is substance for high praise:
Ephesians 1:14: Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
If God is so excited about us, we should be excited about who we are in Christ. What an honor to be held in high esteem by Him. We should be lauding Him and declaring how awesome He is to us! Our praise of Him should be an unending gratefulness.
Psalms 9:1&2: I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
A spectacular way we can praise Him is to speak in tongues. One of the many benefits of speaking in tongues is you magnify or praise Him in the spirit.
Acts 10:46: For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Note: The NIV translation says, “praising” God instead of “magnify.”
How awesome it is that one of the manifestations of the gift of holy spirit allows us to “magnify or praise” our Father via the spirit.
That is why I really love speaking in tongues. It gives me a wonderful way to praise our Heavenly Father. May we, as the above Psalms encourages us, praise our Lord with our whole heart and with the fullness of the gift of holy spirit in manifestation by speaking in tongues.
Agape,
Bob